Corruption reference against Rauf Siddiqui awaits approval, SHC told

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Rauf Siddiqui has been named in a case pertaining to alleged illegal appointments in Sindh Small Industries Corporation, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) informed the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday.

The bureau’s prosecutor informed a high court bench that there was evidence on record, indicating Rauf Siddiqui and others’ involvement in the appointments. He said the matter has been forwarded to the NAB chairman on the completion of the inquiry for approval to file the reference in the relevant accountability court.

The bench was hearing bail pleas of the MQM-P leader and Sindh Small Industries Corporation officials.

The court directed the corruption watchdog to submit a compliance report after filing the reference on the next hearing on May 2.

Earlier, the SHC had sought a detailed progress report on the inquiry related to the appointments in Sindh Small Industries Corporation.

Siddiqui is facing a number of cases along with other MQM-P leaders. Lately, the investigation officer in hate speech cases against MQM-P leaders informed the court that there was no evidence against them, including Siddiqui, about facilitating and listening to an incendiary speech of party founder Altaf Hussain.